Abel to Yzerman

Yeah, I think so. If not for the uncertainty surrounding the Kopecky situation, Dan Cleary’s injury and Samuelsson’s foot, I’m not so sure the Boy Wonder makes the Calder deal. But, deal he did and the Wings bring in some grit.

In Calder’s case, as you’ve all discussed by now, there is great potential and even statistical proof that there is a good chance that he may be the type of player who could bolster the Wings waning offense.

After scoring 26 goals for Chicago two seasons ago, Calder was part of the housecleaning purge conducted by the Blackhawks last summer. He was dealt to the Flyers for Michal Handzus. But Calder never recaptured the magic in Philly. He has just nine goals and 12 assists and, worse, is an obscene minus-31 in 59 games this year. Detroit clearly hopes that Calder can recapture the offensive magic as he returns to the Western Conference and joins a veteran team with serious aspiration to win the West.

Smart people use the term “obscene” in less than obvious places. I’ve always felt that and would appreciate no argument on the subject.

Bottom line on this deal: Williams may have been set up by Uncle Mike, when he gave him too much responsibiity too early…then stuck with him on the PP after everyone but him saw that little Willie was a disaster on point. How many times did I whine about his lack of puck control? 73 I think was the latest tally.

The Wings are still heavily pursuing St. Louis Blues forward Bill Guerin, according to a source. As of Monday night, the asking price was too high. But, the Wings believe he won’t cost as much today. If the Blues don’t re-sign Guerin, they’ll have to trade him or risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Jesus…did Khan(!) just dip into the “according to a source” cess pool usually infested by Strickland and Klessel? Here’s your source Ansar: me. And this source still contends Guerin’s not coming to Hockeytown for no other reason than the little Blues hate them some Wings.

Khan(!) does re-hash some other options, citing Bertuzzi, Stumpel or Gelinas as possibilities. Heck throw Horton in there too while we’re dinking around.

Oh, and for those of you who think Hank Zetterberg might be kinda good and valuable: out tonite with back spasms.

About Abel to Yzerman

Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: wphoulihan@gmail.com